Gary>>>I'd like to take a moment to comment on the idea, forwarded on this>list, regarding holding a "TV Free Week" in the library. It is with>both amusement and chagrin that I note the stubborn persistence of the>view of media as a sort of literacy anti-Christ in certain quarters of>the library profession. The fact is--simply put--we are living in a>largely post-literate culture: the majority of the world's people>currently receive their information and entertainment fix, not through>print, but through the moving image on large and small screens. The>sooner libraries take note of the ways in which their clients have>been completely and irrevocably rewired by electronic media, the more>intelligently they>can meet their users' needs and plan for an intelligent future.>>Now, this is by no means a jab at the continuing cultural importance>or centrality of print. Promoting literacy and the joys of reading>will always be our central mission. This is also not to say that>there isn't a profoundly large amount of noise and schlock out there>on the airwaves and in the video stores. The fact remains, however,>that there is also an exploding universe of amazing and unique visions>being laid down on video tape and film--a world of insight and wonder>that clearly parallels the universe of print.>>It seems to me that it's not our job to favor one medium over the>other, or to put forward the idea that film and TV have somehow>corrupted readers and learners. Our job is to select and promote the>best stuff available, regardless of format. What's more important, we>have an obligation to help build a community of informed and critical>readers AND viewers who can make up their own minds about the best fit for>their particular>intellectual and amusement needs.>>Regards,>>>Gary Handman>Director>Media Resources Center>Moffitt Library>UC Berkeley, CA 94720-6000>510-643-8566>ghandman@library.berkeley.edu>http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/MRC>>"You are looking into the mind of home video. It is innocent, it is>aimless,>it is determined, it is real" --Don DeLillo, Underworld>